The Poker Quiz

You are seated at a loose $1/2 No Limit cash game. A player in middle position raises to $9, the cut off seat calls, and you decide to flat call on the button with A 5 . The small blind folds, the big blind calls, and four players see a flop of K 4 3.

The big blind checks, the initial raiser leads out for $20 and the player in the cut off seat calls. With your nut flush draw you decide semi-bluff and re-raise to $65. Action folds back to the early position player who makes the call. The turn is a Q, completing your flush. Your opponent checks.

The Solution

Bet.

Despite the fact that many players will be tempted to slow play the nut flush, in a loose low limit cash game you should bet in this spot. Once you bet on the come and hit your draw, your opponent will have a hard time putting you on the flush. After your opponent called your re-raise on the flop you have to assume they are playing what they consider a decent hand. When your opponent checks the turn you should respond with a sweetener bet, leading out for just under half the pot. An unskilled opponent could be very likely to call with a strong King, and you may even get lucky enough to be betting into a hand like King-Queen or a smaller flush. You will get paid off more often then not, so making a good bet is the correct decision.